Southwick (Adur) Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Southwick (Adur) recorded a crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 residents in August 2025, 23.5% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This figure positions the area as one of the safer built-up regions in the country, a status reinforced by its consistent performance over recent months. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 28.2% of all reported incidents, a rate 41% below the UK average. This suggests that local initiatives targeting violent crime may be yielding results, though the area still faces challenges in addressing anti-social behaviour, which rose sharply by 185.7% to 20 incidents in August. The seasonal context of August — a peak holiday month with increased tourism and transient populations — likely influenced crime patterns, particularly in public spaces and retail areas. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which together made up 37.1% of all crimes, saw significant increases, with anti-social behaviour alone 10% above the UK average. This trend may be linked to the area’s built-up nature, where higher foot traffic and social activity during summer months could exacerbate such issues. Meanwhile, property crime rates, including shoplifting and burglary, remained well below the UK average, with shoplifting incidents at 6.4% of the national rate and burglary at 26% below. This contrast highlights the effectiveness of local crime prevention strategies in reducing property-related offences. The overall crime rate, while lower than the UK average, reflects a nuanced picture: while violent crime is being managed effectively, public order and anti-social behaviour require sustained attention. The data also underscores the importance of community-focused policing and targeted interventions to address the specific challenges posed by seasonal fluctuations and the area’s urban character.

August 2025 saw dramatic fluctuations in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons surging by 300% (from 1 to 4 incidents) — a rate 233% above the UK average. This spike, while statistically significant, remains a small proportion of overall crime. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply, increasing by 185.7% (7 to 20 incidents), a trend that may reflect heightened social activity during the summer months. In contrast, other theft and other crime both declined sharply, with other theft dropping by 75% (8 to 2 incidents) and other crime falling by 50% (2 to 1 incidents). These shifts highlight a combination of seasonal factors and local dynamics. Vehicle crime rose by 25%, aligning with the UK average but suggesting increased activity in areas with higher traffic or parking density. For residents, the 300% jump in weapon possession — though a small number — may warrant awareness, particularly in public spaces. The data also reveals that violent crime remains a focus, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 28.2% of all reported incidents, a rate 41% below the UK average. This discrepancy suggests that Southwick’s built-up character, combined with targeted policing, may be reducing violent crime more effectively than in other areas. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour’s 10% above-UK-average rate indicates a need for continued attention to community engagement initiatives.

Southwick (Adur) maintained a crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 residents in August 2025, a 2.5% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.3. This minor decline aligns with broader trends observed in built-up areas during summer months, where heightened community engagement and local policing efforts may contribute to stabilised crime patterns. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately three crimes per day, a figure that underscores its consistently lower-than-average exposure to criminal activity compared to the UK. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 162 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the relatively low probability of personal involvement in crime for most Southwick residents. When contextualised against the population of 12,617, this statistic reinforces the area’s position as one of the safer built-up regions in the country. The built-up nature of Southwick, with its mix of residential and commercial zones, likely influences crime distribution, as higher foot traffic in retail and public spaces may drive anti-social behaviour and public order offences. However, the overall rate remains 23.5% below the UK average, a gap that suggests sustained effectiveness in local crime prevention strategies. Seasonal factors, such as the peak holiday period in August, could also play a role in fluctuating crime patterns, particularly in areas with transient populations or increased tourism activity.